2014 FORD FLEX automatic transmission

Seats 145
Sitting in the correct position............................145
Head restraints.......................................146
Manual seats........................................148
Power seats.........................................150
Memory function.....................................151
Heated seats........................................153
Heated and ventilated seats..............................155
Rear seats..........................................157
Universal Garage Door Opener (If Equipped) 167
HomeLink® wireless control system.......................167
Auxiliary Power Points 172
Storage Compartments 175
Center console.......................................175
Overhead console.....................................177
Starting and Stopping the Engine 178
Ignition switch.......................................179
Engine block heater...................................184
Fuel and Refueling 186
Fuel quality.........................................187
Running out of fuel....................................188
Refueling...........................................189
Fuel consumption.....................................191
Transmission 195
Automatic transmission.................................195
All-Wheel Drive (If Equipped) 200
All wheel drive.......................................200
Brakes 207
Brakes.............................................207
4Table of Contents
2014 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, April 2013
USA(fus)

Roadside Emergencies 265
Getting roadside assistance..............................265
Hazard warning flashers................................266
Fuel cut-off switch....................................266
Jump-starting the vehicle...............................267
Customer Assistance 270
Reporting safety defects (U.S. only).......................277
Reporting safety defects (Canada only).....................277
Fuses 278
Changing a fuse......................................278
Fuse specification chart................................279
Maintenance 287
General information...................................287
Opening and closing the hood............................288
Under hood overview..................................289
Engine oil dipstick....................................291
Engine oil check......................................291
Engine coolant check..................................292
Automatic transmission fluid check........................298
Brake fluid check.....................................302
Power steering fluid check..............................302
Fuel filter...........................................302
Washer fluid check....................................303
Battery ............................................303
Checking the wiper blades..............................305
Changing the wiper blades..............................305
Air filter(s).........................................306
Adjusting the headlamps................................308
Changing a bulb......................................310
6Table of Contents
2014 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, April 2013
USA(fus)

Remote Start (If Equipped)
WARNING:To avoid exhaust fumes, do not use remote start if
your vehicle is parked indoors or areas that are not well
ventilated.
Note:Do not use remote start if your vehicle is low on fuel.
The remote start button is on the transmitter.
This feature allows you to start your vehicle from outside your vehicle.
The transmitter has an extended operating range.
Vehicles with automatic climate control can be configured to operate
when the vehicle is remote started. See theClimate Controlchapter for
more information. A manual climate control system will run at the setting
it was set to when your vehicle was last turned off.
Many states and provinces have restrictions for the use of remote start.
Check your local and state or provincial laws for specific requirements
regarding remote start systems.
The remote start system will not work if:
•the ignition is on
•the alarm system is triggered
•you disable the feature
•the hood is not closed
•the transmission is not inP
•the vehicle battery voltage is too low
•your service engine soon light is on.
68Keys and Remote Control
2014 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, April 2013
USA(fus)

Scroll up/down to highlight one of the categories, then press the right
arrow key or OK to enter into that category. Press the left arrow key as
needed to exit back to the main menu.
Display Mode
Use the up/down arrow buttons to choose between the following display
options.
Display mode
Display mode Option 1 Option 2 Option 3
XXX mi (km) to empty X
Bar tachometer X
Round tachometer X X
Engine coolant temp gauge X
Fuel gauge Always
PresentAlways
PresentAlways
Present
Total odometer (lower left
corner)Always
PresentAlways
PresentAlways
Present
Regardless of display mode chosen, when SelectShift Automatic™
transmission (SST) is activated, the cluster will change to the round
tachometer if not already selected. After the round tachometer
displays, other display modes with the bar tachometer can also be
chosen.
•XXX mi (km) to empty: Shows approximate fuel level before the fuel
tank reaches empty. The value is dynamic and can change (raise or
lower) depending on driving style.
•Fuel gauge: Indicates approximately how much fuel is left in the fuel
tank. The fuel gauge may vary slightly when the vehicle is in motion
or on a grade. When the fuel level becomes low, the level indicator will
change to amber. When the fuel level becomes critically low, the level
indicator will change to red.
Note:When a MyKey® is in use, low fuel warnings will display earlier.
The fuel icon and arrow indicates which side of the vehicle the fuel
filler door is located.
•Bar/Round tachometer: Indicates the engine speed in revolutions per
minute. Driving with your tachometer pointer continuously at the top
of the scale may damage the engine. During SelectShift Automatic™
transmission (SST) use, the currently selected gear will appear in the
display.
122Information Displays
2014 Flex(471)
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USA(fus)

Alarm/Security
MessagesAction / Description
Vehicle Alarm To Stop
Alarm, Start Vehicle.Displayed when the perimeter alarm system is
armed and the vehicle is entered using the key
on the driver’s side door. In order to prevent
the perimeter alarm system from triggering,
the ignition must be turned to start or on
before the 12 second chime expires.
Automatic Engine
Shutdown MessagesAction / Description
Engine Shuts Off in
XX SecondsDisplays when the engine is getting ready to
shut off.
Engine Shut Off for
Fuel EconomyDisplays when the engine has shut off to help
increase fuel economy.
Engine Shuts Off in
XX Seconds Press OK
to OverrideDisplays when the engine is getting ready to
shut off. You can press OK on the left steering
wheel button to override the shut down.
AWD Messages Action / Description
AWD Off Displayed when the AWD system has been
automatically disabled to protect itself. This is
caused by operating the vehicle with the
compact spare tire installed or if the system is
overheating. The AWD system will resume
normal function and clear this message after
driving a short distance with the road tire
re-installed or after the system is allowed to
cool.
Check AWD Displayed in conjunction with the Throttle
Control/Transmission/AWD light when the
AWD system is not operating properly. If the
warning stays on or continues to come on,
contact your authorized dealer as soon as
possible.
128Information Displays
2014 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, April 2013
USA(fus)

GENERAL OPERATING TIPS
Manual Heating and Air Conditioning System
•To reduce fog build-up on the windshield during humid weather, select
Defrost. Temperature and fan speed can also be increased to improve
clearing.
•To reduce humidity build-up inside the vehicle, do not drive with the
system off or with recirculated air engaged.
•Do not put objects under the front seats that will interfere with the
airflow to the back seats.
•Remove any snow, ice or leaves from the air intake area at the base of
the windshield.
•To improve the A/C cool down, drive with the windows slightly open
for 2-3 minutes after start-up or until the vehicle has been aired out.
•A small amount of air may be felt from the floor vent regardless of the
air distribution setting that is selected.
During extreme high ambient temperatures when idling stationary for
extended periods of time in gear, it is recommended to run the A/C in
the MAX A/C mode, adjust the blower fan speed to the lowest setting
and put the vehicle’s transmission into positionP(vehicles equipped
with an automatic transmission) to continue to receive cool air from your
A/C system.
For maximum cooling performance in A/C mode, pressMAX A/C.
For maximum cooling performance in panel or panel/floor modes:
1. Move temperature control to the coolest setting.
2. Select A/C and recirculated air to provide colder airflow.
3. Set the fan to the highest speed initially, then adjust to maintain
comfort.
To aid in side window defogging and demisting in cold or humid weather:
1. Select Floor/Panel.
2. Select A/C.
3. Adjust the temperature control to maintain comfort.
4. Set the fan speed to the highest setting.
5. Direct the outer instrument panel vents toward the side windows.
6. To increase airflow to the outer instrument panel vents, close the
vents located in the middle of the instrument panel.
Climate Control141
2014 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, April 2013
USA(fus)

Dual Zone Automatic Temperature Control
•To reduce fog build-up on the windshield during humid weather, select
Defrost. Temperature and fan speed can also be increased to improve
clearing.
•To reduce humidity build-up inside the vehicle, do not drive with the
system off or with recirculated air engaged.
•Do not put objects under the front seats that will interfere with the
airflow to the back seats.
•Remove any snow, ice or leaves from the air intake area at the base of
the windshield.
•To improve the A/C cool down, drive with the windows slightly open
for 2-3 minutes after start-up or until the vehicle has been aired out.
•A small amount of air may be felt from the floor vent regardless of the
air distribution setting that is selected.
During extreme high ambient temperatures when idling stationary for
extended periods of time in gear, it is recommended to run the A/C in
the MAX A/C mode, adjust the blower fan speed to the lowest setting
and put the vehicle’s transmission into positionP(vehicles equipped
with an automatic transmission) to continue to receive cool air from your
A/C system.
For maximum cooling performance in AUTO mode, pressMAX A/C.
For maximum cooling performance in manual override control:
1. Choose Panel, A/C, and recirc controls.
2. Set the temperature to LO.
3. Set the fan to the highest blower setting.
To aid in side window defogging and demisting in cold or humid weather:
1. Select Floor/Panel.
2. Select A/C.
3. Adjust the temperature control to maintain comfort.
4. Set the fan speed to the highest setting.
5. Direct the outer instrument panel vents toward the side windows.
6. To increase airflow to the outer instrument panel vents, close the
vents located in the middle of the instrument panel.
142Climate Control
2014 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, April 2013
USA(fus)

Stopping the Engine When Your Vehicle is Stationary
1. Move the transmission selector lever to positionP.
2. If your vehicle has an ignition key, turn the key to the off position.
If your vehicle has a keyless start system, press the button once.
3. Apply the parking brake.
Note:This switches off the ignition, all electrical circuits, warning lamps
and indicators.
Note:If the engine is idling for 30 minutes, the ignition and engine
automatically shut down.
Stopping the Engine When Your Vehicle is Moving
WARNING:Switching off the engine when the vehicle is still
moving will result in a loss of brake and steering assistance.
The steering will not lock, but higher effort will be required. When the
ignition is switched off, some electrical circuits, warning lamps and
indicators may also be off.
1.If your vehicle has an ignition key,move the transmission
selector lever to positionNand use the brakes to bring your vehicle
to a safe stop. When your vehicle has stopped, move the transmission
selector lever to positionPand turn the key to the off position.
2.If your vehicle has a keyless start system,press and hold the
button for one second, or press it three times within two seconds.
Move the transmission selector lever to positionNand use the brakes
to bring your vehicle to a safe stop. When your vehicle has stopped,
move the transmission selector lever to positionPand switch the
ignition off.
3. Apply the parking brake.
Your vehicle may have remote start capability. Refer toRemote startin
theKeys and Remote Controlchapter.
Guarding Against Exhaust Fumes
WARNING:If you smell exhaust fumes inside your vehicle, have
this checked immediately. Do not drive your vehicle if you smell
exhaust fumes. Carbon monoxide is present in exhaust fumes. Take
precautions to avoid its dangerous effects.
Starting and Stopping the Engine183
2014 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, April 2013
USA(fus)